It was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to our beloved, Grace Edith Berube, on June 16, 2024 after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Grace was the youngest of Ernest and Winifred Playdon’s 8 children (Victor, Stanley, Clifford, Ernest, Doreen, Edward, Eileen). The family eventually settled in Nelson, B.C. with the little house on Anderson Street becoming their home. Growing up times were tough, but Grace and her sidekick sister Eileen always made the best of things. Grace’s free spirit proved to be a handful for her very patient older sister, Rene, with unexpected whoopie cushion appearances and orange peel smiles at the dining table resulting in laughs and scoldings, but in Grace’s mind they were all well worth it.
Grace had an unwavering sense of self and even during a time when women, especially young women, did not have a voice, Grace let hers be heard. She chose to leave high school without graduating in defence of her brothers’ suffering when historical facts about prisoner of war camps were brought into question. This injustice did not deter her for long. She sought employment and training as a bookkeeper and learned her trade well. Throughout her life, a perfectly balanced ledger was something that always brought her joy!
In her late twenties, Grace’s free spirit struck again and she decided that she was going to head east for the excitement of a new life in Toronto. Money ran short and her journey stopped in Fort William, Ontario. Here she took up a job as a payroll clerk at W.H Marr. She eventually decided that she would like to “travel” to Port Arthur to see what it had to offer. After her long trek from B.C., she didn’t realize that some trips could be short. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the day long bus trip she anticipated was only 20 minutes. Port Arthur proved to be the place for Grace! It was here she would meet her husband William (Bill) Berube, raise three children and complete her secondary education.
Grace worked diligently and was an excellent home keeper and an amazing mom. During these busy child rearing years, she also served as the crossing guard for Prospect Avenue School and babysat MANY children – all of whom held a special place in her heart. She finished out her working years as a sales associate for Lakehead Monument. This proved to be the perfect career for Grace, as her care and compassion for those who were mourning shone through. She was a dedicated employee for over two decades.
Grace’s golden years brought many happy times with Bill that included fishing trips at Shebandowan Lake, sun filled trips to Las Vegas, time to serve her community as a volunteer at Hospice Northwest, picnics at Boulevard Lake and Mission Marsh with Lynda, lunches with the ladies of Lakeview Presbyterian Church and many fond times spent with her children.
God and family were the centre of Grace’s life. She was an incredible example of Christian and motherly love. This is evident by the countless hearts mourning her passing. Grace is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, William (Bill) Berube, her children Allen, John (Frances deceased) and April (Kerry). She will be greatly missed by many, but especially by her niece Lisa, her dear friend Lynda Reinsalu and many cherished nieces and nephews.
The Berube family would like to recognize the dedicated health care providers who served Grace in her time of need. Special thanks goes to her “second daughter” Lori Hygaard for her care and love always, but especially during Grace’s cancer journey, to Dr. J Reid, Dr. Faghih, Laura Hendren NP, and the Palliative Care Team of Dr. Sellick, Megan Ross NP, as well as the Bayshore Home Health Nurses. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Lakehead Monument for their generosity.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Grace to the Thunder Bay chapters of the Alzheimer Society, Wesway or the Northern Cancer Fund.
A private service and internment will be held for Grace at a later date.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
